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    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Dinner Salads

    Healthy Macaroni Salad

    Published: Aug 31, 2017 · Updated: May 19, 2022 by Neil 14 Comments

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    A plate of healthy macaroni salad. Pin title text overlay at top.
    Two plates of healthy macaroni salad one in front of another.

    Healthy macaroni salad recipe has all the flavours and creaminess that you would expect from the classic salad but it's made with a lower calorie dressing.

    Two plates of healthy macaroni salad one in front of the other with forks on.

    Pasta salads like this healthy macaroni salad are a staple in our household.

    Not only are they really easy to put together for packed lunches, but for me, on a late night home from work they are also quick and easy to prepare.

    Also folks, as we get near the end of the month when money gets tighter and we're all looking forward to that next pay day, I'm sure like me, you'll welcome this excellent budget friendly recipe!

    A plate of healthy macaroni salad. Celery stalks, cherry tomatoes and salt and pepper cellars in the background.

    All I've simple done here is to take the classic macaroni salad recipe and use some of my low calorie dressing.

    When I say "the classic macaroni salad" I mean our favourite version of it which has our favourite selection of salad ingredients in it.

    Of course you are welcome to use any selection of ingredients you may wish and again being budget friendly.

    This is also a great recipe for you to use up any leftovers. "Waste not want not" as they say!

    If I'm making this healthy macaroni salad as a packed lunch option I'll probably add a little more macaraoni that I would if it's an evening meal.

    Why? Well as I learnt when I was doing my nutrition courses a few years ago, macaraoni pasta is a carbohydrate which is a slow energy releasing food.

    Pasta takes longer to digest, which is fine if you're on the go during the day as you're burning the calories it's releasing.

    In the evening thouhg you really don't want to go to bed on a stomach filled with a huge amouts of carbs as this is when the body can store that excess energy as fat.

    So in the evening instead of "bulking up" the salad with more macaroni I'll try and add more salad ingredients which the body can break down and digest much quicker.

    Two plates of healthy macaroni salad. One in front of the other with forks on.

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    Other Popular Pasta Salad Recipes You Might Also Like

    • Easy honey mustard turkey pasta salad uses a really simple dressing which adds a whole lot of flavour to this recipe and it’s one that is versatile enough for you to use in your own pasta salad recipes too!
    • Tuna pasta and sweetcorn salad makes for a perfect quick healthy meal. Made with a low calorie dressing and packed with delicious fresh salad ingredients its also great as a packed lunch option too.
    • Quick tuna macaroni salad is a twist on the classic family favourite. Easy to make and made with healthy veggies this is a lower calorie, lower fat version too!
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    Healthy macaroni salad recipe has all the flavours and creaminess that you would expect from the classic salad but it's made with a lower calorie dressing. Click to Tweet

    Healthy Macaroni Salad Recipe

    The low carloie dressing used in my macaroni salad is the same one as from my tuna pasta and sweetcorn salad recipe.

    Again its versatile enough to be used on other salad recipes, this being a prime example!

    I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂

    This healthy macaroni salad recipe has all the flavours and creaminess that you would expect from the classic salad but made with a lower calorie dressing.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    5 from 1 vote

    Healthy Macaroni Salad Recipe

    This healthy macaroni salad recipe has all the flavours and creaminess that you would expect from the classic salad but made with a lower calorie dressing.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: International
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 338kcal
    Author: Neil

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    Equipment

    • Saucepans
    • Kitchen scale
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Chopping board
    • Kitchen knives
    • Measuring spoons

    Ingredients

    For the low calorie dressing: -

    • 4 tablespoon reduced fat mayonnaise
    • 4 teaspoon white wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • Salt and pepper to season

    For the Salad: -

    • 250 g whole wheat macaroni
    • 2 hard-boiled eggs diced
    • 100 g cucumber diced
    • 8 cherry tomatoes halved
    • ½ red pepper finely diced
    • 85 g red onion finely diced
    • 1 stick celery finely diced
    • ½ small carrot grated
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions in boiling salted water, rinse until cooled under cold water, drain and place in a large mixing bowl.
    • Add the eggs, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red pepper, red onion, celery and grated carrot.
    • Put all of the dressing ingredients into a jar with a screw top lid and shake well.
    • Pour dressing over macaroni and salad and mix well until everything is coated with the dressing.
    • Season to taste with the salt and pepper.
    • Refrigerate until required for serving.

    Notes

    You can cook the eggs at the same time as the macaroni is cooking, just make sure they are well cooled too. Keep refrigerated.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 53.7g | Protein: 11.7g | Fat: 8.1g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.1g | Cholesterol: 74.6mg | Sodium: 151.7mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 5.7g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 35.5mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2.5mg

    Nutrition Facts
    Healthy Macaroni Salad
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 338 Calories from Fat 73
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8.1g12%
    Saturated Fat 1.5g9%
    Monounsaturated Fat 2.1g
    Cholesterol 74.6mg25%
    Sodium 151.7mg7%
    Carbohydrates 53.7g18%
    Fiber 3.5g15%
    Sugar 5.7g6%
    Protein 11.7g23%
    Vitamin A 650IU13%
    Vitamin C 35.5mg43%
    Calcium 40mg4%
    Iron 2.5mg14%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David @ Spiced

      August 31, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      First and foremost, enjoy the walk! As you know, I'm a Roman history buff, so the thought of walking Hadrian's Wall is seriously awesome to me. Plus, I'm guessing you'll be treated to some amazing views of the Scottish countryside along the way. I can't wait to see photos! Secondly, thanks for the yummy recipe. We have a long weekend (Labor Day) coming up here in the States, and I was just telling Laura that I want to make mac salad since we really haven't made it very much this summer. I'll have to healthify my version with your tips here. Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        August 31, 2017 at 3:03 pm

        Thank you David. This is my second time walking the Hadrian's Wall walk and I'm seriously excited to be doing it again and this time doing it with Lynne. There's so much history and excellent scenery along the way that when I did it the first time with my regular walking buddy Mike, I just knew I had to do it again!

        Enjoy your long weekend (Labor Day) and your mac salad too. I'll raise a beer to toast you along the way! Have a good one! 😀

        Reply
    2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 31, 2017 at 1:31 pm

      I am all about fantastic pasta salads. They always scream summer to me 🙂

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        August 31, 2017 at 3:39 pm

        Agreed. And as there's been a bit of a reduction in the temperature here, this may well be my last pasta salad, and salad recipe this year. 🙁

        Reply
    3. Ashika | Gardening Foodie

      September 03, 2017 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe Neil. I love how versatile macaroni can be in recipes and this salad recipe is amazing. Really easy and quick to prepare. Makes a perfect lunch.
      Enjoy your walk... looking forward to seeing the beautiful pictures

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        September 09, 2017 at 4:48 pm

        Hey Ashika, just back from our walk and sorry I missed your amazing comment!

        Yes, isn't macaroni just one of those brilliant cheap and easy recipe components to pair with lots of things, saving time and money? Love it! 🙂

        Pictures coming up in a few weeks time, got some others coming on Tuesday though! Hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    4. Jeff

      September 04, 2017 at 1:46 am

      I really love that you've worked all those vegetables into that salad.

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        September 09, 2017 at 4:49 pm

        Thanks Jeff. They are our favourite vegetable selection to compliment the macaroni, but as mentioned in the recipe, you really can make it your own by basically adding anything.

        Reply
    5. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      September 07, 2017 at 3:36 am

      I do love a good pasta salad. On the other hand I don't like those pasta salads (As well as potato ones) which are submerged in tons of mayo sauce. As the matter of fact, I normally go with a little drizzle of both olive oil and balsamic. I'm not against mayo though - it has to be a little touch like you've got here, Neil. Delicious version!

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        September 09, 2017 at 4:51 pm

        I totally agree Ben. Salads can be absolutely ruined by submerging them in tons of mayo sauce.

        I'm like you and I need to be able to taste my food and have a dressing that compliments and doesn't spoil the food.

        This dressing is just a light touch, as you say, and just enough to give this salad its added boost. 😀

        Reply
    6. Tabitha

      September 12, 2017 at 7:11 pm

      Great recipe! It's tough to work loads of veg into a salad but the creativity here makes it work so well! A brilliant way to spice up an old classic!

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        September 12, 2017 at 7:46 pm

        Thank you Tabitha!

        Reply
    7. Agness of Run Agness Run

      September 13, 2017 at 10:25 am

      As a passionate lover of pasta, this recipe is my cup of tea, Neil! Can't wait to prepare it!

      Reply
      • neil@neilshealthymeals.com

        September 13, 2017 at 4:33 pm

        Glad you like it Agness. 🙂

        You can't beat a lovely bowl of comforting pasta can you? Especially if its filled with lots of healthy salad ingredients too. Hope you are well! 😀

        Reply

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